Stanikzai collects the trophy and hoists it over his shoulders. His team joins him in the celebrations. Many congratulations to Afghanistan for the great things they're doing. It's always fun watching them play. With that, it's a wrap of this series. The five-match ODI series will begin on Wednesday. Join us then. Cheers!

Stanikzai: 11 consecutive wins is a world record and it's good for Afghanistan team. The players are showing their abilities. Before the match we thought that 180-plus was a good total. Shahzad and Nabi played really well. Stirling started well but we knew we had good spinners.

Porterfield: Credit to the groundstaff and both the teams. On reflection, they deserve the series. But there wasn't much between the two teams. In these games, it's going to come down to the last over. Credit to the guys to keep going and to take it down to the last two overs. It's been great crowds, great pitches, we've enjoyed our time here. Looking forward to the five-match series.

Rashid Khan is Man of the Series

Mohammad Nabi is Man of the Match

17:30 Local Time, 12:00 GMT, 17:30 IST: Afghanistan's winning streak lives on. They have now won 11 T20Is in a row. The match was set up with the bat; with Nabi and Shahzad registering brilliant performances. 234 was always going to be improbable. Credit to Ireland though for showing a lot of fight. Their openers, Stirling and Thompson, gave them a flier and propelled them ahead of the rate. But what Ireland really needed was for one of them to bat right through. That wasn't to be. Afghanistan kept chipping away at the wickets at crucial times which ensured that they were in control after the 10-over mark despite a valiant fifty from Wilson. Rashid Khan impressed once again by proving to be economical and wrapping it up towards the end with a triple-strike.

19.2

Nabi to Dockrell, out Caught by Usman Ghani!! It's all over. Dockrell miscues his slog-sweep in the air for a simple catch at deep mid-wicket. Afghanistan sweep the series 3-0. They've been quite brilliant here in Noida. Dockrell c Usman Ghani b Nabi 2(3)

Nabi to Dockrell, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!

Jacob Mulder, right handed bat, comes to the crease

19.1

Nabi to Dockrell, out Barry McCarthy Run Out!! 1 run completed. Direct-hit from long-on. McCarthy is well short. He's not even in the picture. They went through for the second after Dockrell squeezed the full ball to long-on but Najibullah is swiftly onto the ball and his throw is even better. Barry McCarthy run out (Najibullah) 0(0)

Nabi to Dockrell, THAT'S OUT!! Run Out!!

Mohammad Nabi [3.0-0-42-0] is back into the attack

Barry McCarthy, right handed bat, comes to the crease

30 needed in the final over. The game's as good as done.

18.6

Rashid Khan to Greg Thompson, out Bowled!! Three in the over for Rashid. He's a real menace for the lower order. The googly snakes back in, right through Thompson's slog-sweep, and clips leg-stump. Greg Thompson b Rashid Khan 0(1)

Rashid Khan to Greg Thompson, THAT'S OUT!! Bowled!!

18.5

Rashid Khan to Dockrell, 1 run, doesn't get hold of the slog and mistimes it through mid-wicket

George Dockrell, right handed bat, comes to the crease

18.4

Rashid Khan to Lorcan Tucker, out Bowled!! Rashid skids one through Tucker. The trajectory is flat but the length isn't as short as Tucker expects. He goes for the pull, misses and is knocked over. Lorcan Tucker b Rashid Khan 16(14) [6s-1]

Rashid Khan to Lorcan Tucker, THAT'S OUT!! Bowled!!

18.3

Rashid Khan to Lorcan Tucker, 2 runs, cuts it away through the covers

Greg Thompson, right handed bat, comes to the crease

18.2

Rashid Khan to Wilson, out Caught by Shenwari!! This could be the end for Ireland. A lot rested on Wilson's shoulders if the target was to be achieved. But he's gone now. The ball jumps up from a length and takes a thick top-edge on the slog-sweep. Simple catch at deep mid-wicket. Wilson c Shenwari b Rashid Khan 59(34) [4s-5 6s-2]

Rashid Khan to Wilson, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!

18.1

Rashid Khan to Wilson, 2 runs, skipping on from a back of a length quicker than Wilson wants it to. He mistimes the pull through mid-wicket

35 needed from 2 overs.

17.6

Shapoor to Lorcan Tucker, no run, moves well across the stumps for the scoop; tries to change it to a ramp after Shapoor bowls it well outside off. Fails to connect

17.5

Shapoor to Wilson, 1 run, length ball into the pads, Wilson mistimes the slog to mid-wicket

17.4

Shapoor to Wilson, FOUR, lucky runs. It's a thick inside edge which brings four for Wilson and Ireland. But Shapoor didn't quite find his mark either. It was an ordinary length ball and it's always susceptible to such consequences

17.3

Shapoor to Lorcan Tucker, 1 run, no real damage off the free-hit as Shapoor follows Tucker down leg to cramp him up. As a result, there's no real power behind the swipe. Single through square leg

17.3

Shapoor to Lorcan Tucker, no ball, 2 runs, terrific work in the deep to flick the ball behind his back while sliding across. A powerful heave from Tucker but he's denied the boundary. Oh wait, it's a no-ball. Shapoor's foot is just over. Real close. So a free-hit now...

17.2

Shapoor to Wilson, 1 run, slogs the low full toss to deep mid-wicket. Missed out there

17.2

Shapoor to Wilson, wide, the slower ball drifts down leg from round the wicket, Wilson misses out on the pull. Wide called

17.1

Shapoor to Wilson, 2 runs, he's timing them beautifully. Crashes a full ball from off-stump through the covers and comfortably ambles back. The fielder in the deep had to make a good 10-15 yards to his right before sliding across. Fifty up for Wilson. He's the only one who can win it for Ireland from here

Shapoor Zadran [3.0-0-47-1] is back into the attack

16.6

Rashid Khan to Wilson, 1 run, big turn with the googly. The ball rips in from well outside off and utterly cramps Wilson as he shapes for the cut. That's a really good shout for leg-before. The ball is very close to the back pad, and may have even clipped it first, before going on to take a thick inside edge through square leg

16.5

Rashid Khan to Lorcan Tucker, 1 run, flat at the stumps, works it down the ground to long-on

16.4

Rashid Khan to Wilson, 1 run, stoops across and mistimes the sweep through square leg

16.3

Rashid Khan to Lorcan Tucker, 1 run, chipped down the ground to long-off

16.2

Rashid Khan to Lorcan Tucker, no run, slips in a flat one outside off and beats Tucker

16.1

Rashid Khan to Lorcan Tucker, SIX, oh this is beautifully hit! The shot couldn't have been possible had he not picked the googly out of the hand. But because he did, he was able to swing through the line despite not being anywhere close to the ball after using the feet

15.6

Nabi to Lorcan Tucker, 1 run, pushed through the cover-point region for a single

15.5

Nabi to Wilson, 1 run, pulls the length back and bowls it flatter outside off, Wilson dabs it through point

15.4

Nabi to Wilson, FOUR, quick low full toss on off; it's been drilled straight back down the ground to beat long-on

15.3

Nabi to Wilson, no run, fired in quick outside off, Wilson tries to hoist it inside out but the ball slides on and beats his outside edge

15.2

Nabi to Wilson, SIX, Wilson continues to carry Ireland hopes. Dances down the track and slogs it with the turn over mid-wicket. He didn't get to the pitch of it but was confident to go through with the shot because he was playing with the turn

Rashid Khan to Wilson, no run, skidding on from a back of a length, no room for Wilson to work with, he bunts it back to the bowler. Top bowling

14.5

Rashid Khan to Wilson, 2 runs, the third umpire has been called for a run-out check. But Wilson's dive has saved him. He initially skewed it off a thick inside edge through square leg and because the ball was in the gap, the second run was on. Good fielding though and a good throw back to the keeper

14.4

Rashid Khan to Wilson, no run, swing and a miss. Lovely bowling from Rashid. Gets the leg-break to turn and Wilson has a tough job fetching the slog from outside off

14.3

Rashid Khan to Lorcan Tucker, 1 run, another edge. This one's a thick edge and it rolls to short third man

14.2

Rashid Khan to Wilson, 1 run, works it down to long-on

14.1

Rashid Khan to Wilson, no run, dropped! Terrible miscommunication there, with two fielders going for the same ball. Lovely leg-break to begin with. It squares Wilson up, takes a thick leading edge and spoons in front of backward point. Even short third man goes for it. They distract each other and the backward point fielder diving forward can't hold on

13.6

Karim Janat to Lorcan Tucker, no run, jumps out of the crease but the length isn't there for the taking and Tucker safely plays it down the pitch

13.5

Karim Janat to Lorcan Tucker, no run, cuts back in from a length and cuts Tucker in half. Peach of a delivery

Lorcan Tucker, right handed bat, comes to the crease

13.4

Karim Janat to Andy McBrine, out Lbw!! Oh that is plumb. Full and straight, McBrine misses with an ambitious reverse-scoop and he's dead in front of middle. Whenever Ireland seem to gather some momentum, Afghanistan make the breakthrough. Andy McBrine lbw b Karim Janat 13(8) [6s-1]

Karim Janat to Andy McBrine, THAT'S OUT!! Lbw!!

13.3

Karim Janat to Andy McBrine, SIX, powerfully swung across the line, clears the rope. Not a great delivery from Janat. A length ball on the pads and it disappears over long leg

13.2

Karim Janat to Wilson, 1 run, works it down to long-on

13.1

Karim Janat to Wilson, 2 runs, full ball at the stumps, Wilson has to reach out for it as he is deceived by the lack of pace. Ends up chipping it off the bottom of the bat in front of long-on

12.6

Rashid Khan to Wilson, 1 run, it's a googly again and Wilson is slog-sweeping with the turn. But he mistimes it along the turf to deep mid-wicket

12.5

Rashid Khan to Wilson, FOUR, drilled down the ground. Too full from Rashid this time. Wilson doesn't hold back and uses his bottom hand to good effect

12.4

Rashid Khan to Andy McBrine, 1 run, runs down the pitch to a googly and smashes it down to long-on

12.3

Rashid Khan to Andy McBrine, 2 runs, slightly short outside off, McBrine is able to cut it in the gap through point and races back for two while sweeper cover tidies up

12.2

Rashid Khan to Wilson, 1 run, there's the googly. He uses it almost as frequently as his stock ball. Wilson makes some room and cuts it through point

12.1

Rashid Khan to Wilson, no run, finds turn right away. The ball grips the pitch and takes a soft leading edge back down the pitch

It's time for Rashid Khan.

11.6

Karim Janat to Wilson, 1 run, stops on Wilson and he bunts it in the air back towards the bowler. The ball was dying on Janat as he dived forward. Fell short of him

11.5

Karim Janat to Wilson, SIX, superbly struck. A full ball outside off, Wilson uses the width and carts it over extra-cover

11.4

Karim Janat to Wilson, 2 runs, a little bit of width, Wilson cut-dabs it through backward point for a couple

11.3

Karim Janat to Andy McBrine, 1 run, clipped backward of square for a single

11.2

Karim Janat to Andy McBrine, no run, McBrine gives the charge, looking to open up the off-side. But he doesn't get the length he's looking for. It skids on from a short of length and bounces over the bat through to the keeper

11.1

Karim Janat to Andy McBrine, 2 runs, skews it off the inside half through square leg. It's in the gap and it's a comfortable two

10.6

Amir Hamza to Wilson, FOUR, quick and full outside off, Wilson uses the pace on the ball and opens the bat-face on the drive to guide it through backward point

10.5

Amir Hamza to Andy McBrine, 1 run, lazy running from McBrine, not even using his bat while completing the single. But his foot landed inside the crease well in time

Amir Hamza to Porterfield, out Caught by Nabi!! Another massive wicket. Afghanistan are chipping away here. It's a good catch from Nabi, running in from long-on. Porterfield couldn't find the elevation on the loft down the ground. He hit it hard and flat. Nabi covers good ground and takes it on the run. Porterfield c Nabi b Amir Hamza 16(14) [4s-1]

Amir Hamza to Porterfield, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!

10.2

Amir Hamza to Porterfield, 2 runs, slightly short in length, Porterfield heaves it away powerfully but some good work at deep mid-wicket denies him a boundary

10.1

Amir Hamza to Porterfield, FOUR, Hamza falls into Porterfield's trap. He follows him down the leg-side. That's exactly what Porterfield was looking for and he flogs him away to the long leg boundary

9.6

Karim Janat to Wilson, 2 runs, back of a length ball, Wilson swats it through the mid-wicket region. Good running from Porterfield here. He's the one who senses the opportunity and calls Wilson through for the second

9.5

Karim Janat to Porterfield, 1 run, heaves it away to deep mid-wicket. The ball might have stopped on Porterfield and he got it off the cue end

9.4

Karim Janat to Wilson, 1 run, back of a length on off, Wilson works it through mid-wicket

9.3

Karim Janat to Wilson, FOUR, can't be providing width with this field. Both point and third man are up in the ring. Wilson latches onto it and slaps it through the gap

9.2

Karim Janat to Porterfield, 1 run, makes some room and flat-bats the short of length delivery to long-on

9.1

Karim Janat to Wilson, 1 run, dabbed towards backward point

8.6

Amir Hamza to Porterfield, no run, Hamza's length isn't full enough for Porterfield to hit down the ground. He still goes hard and muscles it back to the bowler

8.5

Amir Hamza to Porterfield, 2 runs, two fielders nearly bumped into each other. Lucky it didn't happen. A reverse-sweep from Porterfield, places it between backward point and short third man but the ball doesn't have enough timing on it to whistle through the gap. They both run across and dive and thankfully manage to avert the collision

8.4

Amir Hamza to Wilson, 1 run, clipped through mid-wicket

8.3

Amir Hamza to Porterfield, 1 run, played around the corner for a single

8.2

Amir Hamza to Wilson, 1 run, comes down the track and works it down to long-on

8.1

Amir Hamza to Porterfield, 1 run, drifting into the pads, Porterfield clips it through mid-wicket

7.6

Karim Janat to Porterfield, 1 run, driven down to long-off

Gary Wilson, right handed bat, comes to the crease

7.5

Karim Janat to Kevin O'Brien, out Caught by Nabi!! Such a soft dismissal. O'Brien has chipped it straight to long-on. What was he trying to do there? It was a full ball at the stumps; O'Brien meekly chips it in the air. He doesn't quite go through with the loft. May have wanted to hit it much straighter. But he should have backed himself there and gone all the way. Nothing shot this. Kevin O'Brien c Nabi b Karim Janat 3(6)

Karim Janat to Kevin O'Brien, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!

7.4

Karim Janat to Porterfield, 1 run, fullish at the stumps, Porterfield works it down to long-on and brings up the 100 for Ireland. They are going at a very healthy rate and these two can afford to take some time

Karim Janat to Kevin O'Brien, no run, beaten by the skid on the ball! Zipping through from a back of a length just outside off, O'Brien wants to dab it down to third man but he's a bit too late in his attempt

7.1

Karim Janat to Kevin O'Brien, no run, O'Brien nails the timing on the cover drive but hits it straight to the fielder inside the ring

Karim Janat, right-arm medium, comes into the attack

6.6

Amir Hamza to Porterfield, no run, slightly short and sliding away outside off, Porterfield cuts it straight to cover

6.5

Amir Hamza to Kevin O'Brien, 1 run, uses his feet and works it with the angle through mid-wicket. Hamza has no intentions of spinning the ball. All darts these

6.4

Amir Hamza to Porterfield, 1 run, pushed through at the stumps, nudged down to long-on

6.3

Amir Hamza to Kevin O'Brien, 1 run, sliding into the pads, O'Brien clips it through mid-wicket

Kevin O'Brien, right handed bat, comes to the crease

6.2

Amir Hamza to S Thompson, out Bowled!! Gone. He's chopped it back on. Darted across off from round the wicket, Thompson doesn't quite get low enough on the pull, or maybe the length wasn't there for the shot. He under-edges it onto off-stump. So both the openers are gone and there will be two new batsmen at the crease. Critical passage of play coming up for Ireland. S Thompson b Amir Hamza 43(18) [4s-2 6s-5]

Amir Hamza to S Thompson, THAT'S OUT!! Bowled!!

6.1

Amir Hamza to S Thompson, FOUR, he's spanked that through extra-cover. Just a little bit short, a little bit wide and Thompson throws his hands at it to crash it to the boundary. Ireland are flying

Amir Hamza [1.0-0-14-0] is back into the attack

5.6

Nabi to S Thompson, 1 run, full and fast from Nabi, Thompson smashes it down to long-off

5.5

Nabi to S Thompson, SIX, back to back sixes. This time he sinks in the crease and slog-sweeps Nabi from a length over backward square leg. The ball is sliding on beautifully off the pitch

5.4

Nabi to S Thompson, SIX, hammers the low full toss straight back over Nabi's head for six. This is good from Thompson, taking the charge post Stirling's departure and ensuring that the momentum isn't lost

5.3

Nabi to S Thompson, no run, driven hard to mid-wicket

5.2

Nabi to S Thompson, no run, tries to slog it over mid-wicket but the ball slides on and hits the pad

5.1

Nabi to Porterfield, 1 run, nudges it with the angle towards mid-on

4.6

Shapoor to S Thompson, 2 runs, splices it in the air but clears mid-on. A skiddy short of length delivery which is quickly onto Thompson's flat-batted attempt. He was beaten by the skid on the ball there. However, he gets enough to get it over the infield. It was running away to the boundary in fact if not for a superb effort from long-on

Shapoor to S Thompson, no run, short and wide, Thompson slashes and misses. Shapoor might have rolled his fingers across the ball there

4.3

Shapoor to S Thompson, SIX, bam! Excellent strike. Length ball close to off, Thompson smashes it down the ground for a flat-six over long-on. Brutal timing on that

William Porterfield, left handed bat, comes to the crease

4.2

Shapoor to Stirling, out Caught by Nabi!! Taken this time. Shapoor can breathe. He's got a touch lucky actually. It's a low full toss which Stirling takes off the pads and whips effortlessly over square leg. But it's gone straight to Nabi in the deep, who judges it nicely. Stirling misses out on his half-century, but he's delivered the flier which Ireland so desperately needed. Stirling c Nabi b Shapoor 49(20) [4s-6 6s-3]

Shapoor to Stirling, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!

4.1

Shapoor to Stirling, SIX, the free-hit disappears. Belligerent batting from Stirling. Just clearing that front leg to anything which is on a length and then hitting through the line. Clears long-on comfortably

4.1

Shapoor to Stirling, no ball, FOUR, angles it in on a good length, Stirling heaves it over mid-wicket. There's a fielder in the deep there but Stirling has placed this wide of him. It's a no-ball too, so a free-hit will follow

3.6

Nabi to S Thompson, SIX, way too many short balls from Nabi in this over and he's been duly punished. Thompson is quick to rock back and pull it over deep mid-wicket. Fifty on the board in just four overs. This game is alive

3.5

Nabi to S Thompson, no run, tries a slog-sweep and is lucky to get some bat there. Else he could have been a shout for leg-before. Thick under-edge

3.4

Nabi to Stirling, 1 run, the length is fuller this time and Stirling works it down to long-on

3.3

Nabi to Stirling, FOUR, it's short again, and it's four again. Stirling is quite a short man so anything remotely short, he picks it up so quickly. Cuts it through point

3.2

Nabi to Stirling, no run, turned to mid-wicket

3.1

Nabi to Stirling, FOUR, shortish outside off, Stirling camps back and finds the gap through backward point with a crisp late-cut

Mohammad Nabi, right-arm off break, comes into the attack

2.6

Shapoor to S Thompson, no run, slower delivery outside off, dupes Thompson for the lack of pace and he is sucked into hitting it through the on-side. Misses

2.5

Shapoor to S Thompson, SIX, stunning shot! If that's any indicator, his legs are doing just fine. Back of a length delivery outside off, Thompson hoists it off the back foot over extra-cover and it sails all the way. Quite an incredible shot

2.4

Shapoor to Stirling, 1 run, dropped again! Really ordinary from Afghanistan in the field. A length ball on the pads, Stirling whips it in the air to the right of fine leg. Karim Janat is the fielder there. He runs around and gets to the ball but puts it down

Thompson seems to have picked up an injury here. He was limping during the second run and needs some attention. Might be cramp. Ireland will hope it's cramp. After a considerable delay, he's decided to continue..

2.3

Shapoor to Stirling, 2 runs, dropped at extra-cover. This could prove to be costly. With the two protecting fielders being on the leg-side, Stirling makes a lot of room to hit it through the off-side ring. But Shapoor follows him and denies any width. As a result, Stirling's attempted inside-out drive doesn't find much elevation and he hits it to the right of Shenwari at extra-cover. It wasn't straightforward. But it wasn't very difficult either, especially after he got there with both hands

Third man is up in the ring. Shapoor from round the wicket.

2.2

Shapoor to S Thompson, 1 run, cuts his fingers across the ball but drops it short and wide. It's so wide that Thompson has to reach out and can't possibly generate any power behind the stroke. He cuts it to cover and dashes across for the single

2.1

Shapoor to S Thompson, no run, wild slog from Thompson to a back of a length delivery, under-edges it into the pad

1.6

Amir Hamza to Stirling, FOUR, all timing on this occasion! Comes down the track to a flat dart from Hamza. Because he isn't to the pitch of the delivery, he doesn't try to be extravagant. Just eases into a cover drive and finds the gap. Lovely batting

1.5

Amir Hamza to Stirling, no run, pushed into the covers

1.4

Amir Hamza to Stirling, FOUR, this is clever batting. He anticipated that Hamza would look to pull the length back after being hit down the ground. So he creates room and slashes it from the stumps over extra-cover. Stirling looking dangerous. He looked dangerous in the previous game too. But this time he'd like to kick on

1.3

Amir Hamza to Stirling, SIX, this time Stirling gallops down the track and swings through the line. From those first two balls, he realized that it wasn't turning at all. So he confidently swings it over long-on despite not meeting the pitch of it

1.2

Amir Hamza to Stirling, no run, flat and quick at the stumps, pushed into the off-side

1.1

Amir Hamza to Stirling, no run, quick through the air from round the wicket, angles it into the stumps, Stirling pushes it to cover

Amir Hamza, left-arm orthodox, comes into the attack

0.6

Shapoor to Stirling, 1 run, Shapoor digs it in on a short of length and cramps Stirling up as he advances. Restricts him to a single to cover. Good first over for Ireland

0.5

Shapoor to Stirling, SIX, this time Shapoor changes the angle of attack, dishes a length ball right in the slot and Stirling rams it over long-on. Strong bottom-hand, allows for a free swing by clearing his front leg and bashes it with a straight bat

0.4

Shapoor to Stirling, 2 runs, charges out while giving himself some room, Shapoor cleverly takes the pace off the ball and also keeps it very wide of off. Stirling slashes at it but he's deceived by the lack of pace. The bottom hand comes off as he slices it over backward point. Smart bowling

0.3

Shapoor to Stirling, FOUR, strays on Stirling's pads and this is basically a free-hit (not the official one) with fine leg up. Flogs it away to the boundary

0.2

Shapoor to S Thompson, 1 run, tucks the short of length delivery in front of mid-wicket

0.1

Shapoor to Stirling, leg byes, 1 run, back of a length, a hint of swing back in to hit Stirling on the pad, dribbles away in front of backward point

Stirling and S Thompson are at the crease. Stirling is on strike. Shapoor will open the attack

Welcome back. Ireland have a herculean task in front of them if they are to salvage something from the series.

Phew! The carnage comes to an end. The innings can be divided into three parts. First the dashing start from Mohammad Shahzad who unsettled the bowlers from the word go. He scored 72 off just 43 deliveries. And then the second part, a mini collapse where the Asian side lost three wickets for just two runs within a span of eight balls. The climax that followed that was unbelievable. The IPL-pick Nabi hit boundaries at will and finished on 89 off just 30 deliveries. The final seven overs went for 111 runs. Can the Irish batsmen get anywhere close to the target? Join us in a short while..

19.6

Barry McCarthy to Nabi, out Nabi Run Out!! Nabi is dismissed off the final ball! A full delivery, Nabi drilled it hard down the ground and the ball hits the stumps at the bowler's end. They go for a run, and McCarthy is quick to go to the stumps and uproot one of the stumps. Nabi is nowhere near the crease. Nabi run out (Barry McCarthy) 89(30) [4s-6 6s-9]

Barry McCarthy to Nabi, THAT'S OUT!! Run Out!!

19.5

Barry McCarthy to Nabi, FOUR, unlucky! Got to feel for the bowler. He darted it outside off, Nabi reaches for it and wants to swing it over mid-wicket. Gets a thick inside edge and the ball races away into the fine leg fence

19.4

Barry McCarthy to Nabi, SIX, hat-trick of sixes! Nabi is on fire. A low full toss, Nabi shuffles across and muscles it deep into the mid-wicket fence

19.3

Barry McCarthy to Nabi, SIX, six more and even better shot! Short of a length delivery, Nabi moves across and launches it once again over long-off

19.2

Barry McCarthy to Nabi, SIX, pitched up delivery, Nabi clears his front leg and tonks it over long-off for a maximum

19.1

Barry McCarthy to Rashid Khan, 1 run, driven to extra cover for a quick single

Barry McCarthy [3.0-0-46-0] is back into the attack

18.6

Kevin O'Brien to Nabi, FOUR, and again. That gap between long-on and deep mid-wicket has been split. Nabi wrists the pitched up delivery through mid-wicket. The long-on fielder dod well to get to the ball. But in the attempt to flick it back into the play he helped it past the boundary rope

Rashid Khan, right handed bat, comes to the crease

18.5

Kevin O'Brien to Karim Janat, out Caught by Jacob Mulder!! Gone! Karim Janat tries to go for another maximum and perishes. A fuller length delivery in the slot for Janat to go pver long-off. But, he didn't have power behind this shot. Easy catch for Mulder at long-off. Karim Janat c Jacob Mulder b Kevin O'Brien 6(2) [6s-1]

Kevin O'Brien to Karim Janat, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!

18.4

Kevin O'Brien to Karim Janat, SIX, short ball. Janat expects that, stands still in his crease and smacks it over deep wicket with a fierce pull shot

18.3

Kevin O'Brien to Nabi, 1 run, very full outside off, Nabi squeezes it in front of square on the off-side

18.2

Kevin O'Brien to Nabi, FOUR, wow! He has picked that beautifully all day. Very full, Nabi uses his wrists to clip it between deep mid-wicket and long-on. The timing was excellent

Karim Janat, right handed bat, comes to the crease

18.1

Kevin O'Brien to Shenwari, out Caught by Dockrell!! Shenwari perishes trying to play the big shot. O'Brien bowls an off-cutter from a shortish length. Shenwari is early into his pull shot and gets it off the top portion of the blade. Dockrell settles under it at deep mid-wicket and gobbles it up. Shenwari c Dockrell b Kevin O'Brien 13(10) [4s-1]

Kevin O'Brien to Shenwari, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!

Kevin O'Brien [3.0-0-30-2] is back into the attack

17.6

S Thompson to Nabi, SIX, its raining boundaries! Length ball and Nabi makes the bowler pay. He stands tall and sends it into the orbit. A six over long-off

17.5

S Thompson to Nabi, FOUR, 2nd T20I fifty for Nabi! A timely knock from the experienced player. Drills this overpitched delivery down the ground. The ball bullets away

17.4

S Thompson to Nabi, no run, right in the blockhole outside off, Nabi fails to put bat on ball

17.3

S Thompson to Shenwari, 1 run, full delivery, Shenwari forces it through covers for a single

17.2

S Thompson to Shenwari, 2 runs, in the air and falls in between three fielders. Length delivery, Shenwari mistimes the lofted off-drive. The ball balloons up and falls between sweeper cover and long-off

17.1

S Thompson to Shenwari, FOUR, premeditated sweep shot! Gets it well wide of short fine leg for a boundary

Stuart Thompson [2.0-0-19-0] is back into the attack

16.6

Barry McCarthy to Nabi, SIX, same region and this time he fetches a six. Short ball that sits up nicely for Nabi to pull it between the two fielders in deep mid-wicket and long-on. No need to run for shots like that. Powerfully hit

16.5

Barry McCarthy to Nabi, FOUR, full toss outside off, Nabi moves across in his crease and muscles it between long-on and deep mid-wicket for a boundary

16.4

Barry McCarthy to Nabi, 2 runs, walks out of his crease and lifts it over extra cover for a brace

16.3

Barry McCarthy to Nabi, SIX, this is a gift and Nabi thanks him by depositing it into the stands. Full toss down leg. Nabi shuffles across and helps it away over long leg for a maximum

16.2

Barry McCarthy to Nabi, no run, yorker length, Nabi strokes it back to the bowler who fumbles. Nabi decides not to take a run

16.1

Barry McCarthy to Shenwari, 1 run, full toss, worked to deep mid-wicket

16.1

Barry McCarthy to Shenwari, wide, wasted delivery down leg. Wided

Barry McCarthy [2.0-0-26-0] is back into the attack

15.6

Dockrell to Nabi, no run, in the blockhole, dug out back towards the bowler

15.5

Dockrell to Nabi, SIX, wow! Just wow! This is a brilliant hot. There was width on offer outside off, but the length was very full. Nabi does well to lift it inside out over the covers for a maximum

15.4

Dockrell to Shenwari, 1 run, driven to long-off

15.3

Dockrell to Nabi, 1 run, Dockrell sees Nabi jogging down and he darts it full and outside off. Nabi just about manages to put bat on it and send it through point for a single

15.2

Dockrell to Nabi, FOUR, wow! Nabi was initially looking to play the sweep shot. Seeing the length full and line outside off, he adjusts well to open his bat face and run it into the third man fence

15.1

Dockrell to Shenwari, 1 run, nudged round the corner

14.6

Jacob Mulder to Nabi, 2 runs, quick and on middle, Nabi works it through mid-wicket off the back foot

14.5

Jacob Mulder to Nabi, SIX, that has been walloped! It made a cracking sound when the bat made contact with the ball. Flat delivery on middle, Nabi sinks low and smacks it over deep mid-wicket. There was a man in the deep who was just a mere spectator

14.4

Jacob Mulder to Shenwari, 1 run, driven to long-on

14.3

Jacob Mulder to Nabi, 1 run, drilled to long-off

14.2

Jacob Mulder to Nabi, SIX, Just out of the reach of the fielder. Nabi's heart would have been in his mouth. A nice leg-break, Nabi sinks low and slog sweeps it over long-on. The ball goes over the waiting long-on fielder

14.1

Jacob Mulder to Nabi, no run, googly! Nabi hangs back to punch. Gets an inside edge onto his pad

13.6

Dockrell to Nabi, 1 run, full again, Nabi wrists the drive to long-on

13.5

Dockrell to Shenwari, 1 run, drills this pitched up delivery to long-on

13.4

Dockrell to Nabi, 1 run, turned into the on-side

13.3

Dockrell to Nabi, no run, loud shout for lbw from the keeper. Arm-ball that pings Nabi on the front pad in front of leg. The angle would have taken it down leg

13.2

Dockrell to Shenwari, 1 run, flat and shortish, Shenwari hangs back and knocks it down to long-on

13.1

Dockrell to Nabi, 1 run, turned to mid-wicket

13.1

Dockrell to Nabi, wide, another one going down leg with the angle. An appeal for from the bowler, but there was no contact

13.1

Dockrell to Nabi, wide, fired down leg, Nabi misses his sweep and it has been wided

George Dockrell [2.0-0-15-0] is back into the attack

12.6

Jacob Mulder to Nabi, 1 run, eases a single down to long-on

Mohammad Nabi, right handed bat, comes to the crease

12.5

Jacob Mulder to Najibullah, out Caught by Wilson!! Three quick wickets and Ireland are fighting back. Najibullah doesn't spot this quick wrong 'un. Sticks his bat out and gets a faint outside edge that is snared by the keeper. Najibullah c Wilson b Jacob Mulder 1(5)

Jacob Mulder to Najibullah, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!

12.4

Jacob Mulder to Najibullah, no run, tapped to short third man

Samiullah Shenwari, right handed bat, comes to the crease

12.3

Jacob Mulder to Mohammad Shahzad, out Caught by Dockrell!! End of a fine knock from Mohammad Shahzad! A tossed up delivery pitching outside off leg and turning away a tad. Shahzad stepped out of his ground backing away. Goes on with his slog and slightly loses his shape as he isn't close to the pitch of the delivery. Ends up giving a straightforward catch to Dockrell at deep mid-wicket. Mohammad Shahzad c Dockrell b Jacob Mulder 72(43) [4s-6 6s-5]

Jacob Mulder to Mohammad Shahzad, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!

12.2

Jacob Mulder to Najibullah, 1 run, pushed through wide of off, Najibullah gets an inside edge that rolls to short fine

12.1

Jacob Mulder to Mohammad Shahzad, 1 run, slow shortish leg-break, Shahzad has no pace to work with as he goes hard on his cut shot. The cover fielder moves to his left and stops it

Jacob Mulder [2.0-0-13-0] is back into the attack

11.6

Andy McBrine to Najibullah, no run, full toss outside off and McBrine gets away with it. Crunches the drive straight to cover

11.5

Andy McBrine to Najibullah, no run, low full toss, stroked back to the bowler

Najibullah Zadran, left handed bat, comes to the crease

11.4

Andy McBrine to Stanikzai, out Caught by S Thompson!! Stanikzai departs looking to clear the fence. He hit that pretty well. Full and quick from McBrine, Stanikzai lofts it wide of long-on. Thompson there at wide long-on times his jump perfectly and takes it calmly. Stanikzai c S Thompson b Andy McBrine 12(5) [4s-1 6s-1]

Andy McBrine to Stanikzai, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!

11.3

Andy McBrine to Stanikzai, FOUR, this is carnage! Fired in quicker outside off from round the wicket, Stanikzai throws the kitchen sink. Gets enough wood on it to get it over backward point

Andy McBrine to Mohammad Shahzad, SIX, low full toss, Shahzad reverses his stance and brooms it away into the backward point fence. The ball has enough wings to sail over the boundary rope

Andy McBrine, right-arm off break, comes into the attack

10.6

Kevin O'Brien to Mohammad Shahzad, 1 run, right off the sweet spot of the bat, but straight to the fielder. Short ball, Shahzad gets into a good position and smacks the pull to deep mid-wicket

10.5

Kevin O'Brien to Stanikzai, 1 run, good comeback, almost a yorker, Stanikzai wrists it between deep mid-wicket and long-on

10.4

Kevin O'Brien to Stanikzai, SIX, oh hello! That's a huge hit. Fullish length that is right in the slot for Stanikzai to swing his bat. He clears his front leg and smack it over deep mid-wicket for a monstrous six

10.3

Kevin O'Brien to Mohammad Shahzad, 1 run, ouch! That must have hurt. A full delivery, Shahzad smacked it with all his power down the ground. O'Brien bravely stuck his hand out and wears the brunt. He takes the pace off. Just a single off the free-hit ball

10.3

Kevin O'Brien to Stanikzai, no ball, 1 run, the Afghanistan captain's intent is clear. He dances down and pulls this short ball over mid-wicket. Kevin O'Brien oversteps and free-hit coming up

Asghar Stanikzai, right handed bat, comes to the crease

10.2

Kevin O'Brien to Usman Ghani, out Bowled!! A wicket totally against the run of play. A short of length delivery on off, Ghani waltzes down and looks to go for the wild heave across the line. Fails to put bat on ball as the leather scoots under his blade to crash onto the stumps. The off stump goes for a walk. Usman Ghani b Kevin O'Brien 23(20) [4s-3]

Kevin O'Brien to Usman Ghani, THAT'S OUT!! Bowled!!

10.1

Kevin O'Brien to Mohammad Shahzad, 1 run, very full on middle, Shahzad whips it away to deep square leg

10.1

Kevin O'Brien to Mohammad Shahzad, wide, starts the over with a wide delivery outside off. Shahzad lets it pass

Jacob Mulder to Mohammad Shahzad, FOUR, offers width and Shahzad goes after it! He backs away and cuts it fiercely through the extra cover region. The fielder in the deep did well to run across and put in a dive. But he was in contact with the boundary rope when he tried to flick the ball back into play

9.2

Jacob Mulder to Usman Ghani, 1 run, slower through the air, Ghani just about manages to bring his bat down and dabs it to short third man

9.1

Jacob Mulder to Usman Ghani, no run, cut to backward point

8.6

S Thompson to Usman Ghani, 1 run, pushed to extra cover for a quick single

8.5

S Thompson to Usman Ghani, FOUR, shot! Theere was a long-on fielder and he had move around five inches and he moved two. That was the power behind that shot. Ghani heaved the fuller length delivery down the ground into the long-on fence

8.4

S Thompson to Usman Ghani, FOUR, edged and four! Ghani wanted to cut it through point and gets a fat edge that runs down to the third man fence

8.3

S Thompson to Usman Ghani, no run, short and wide outside off and Thompson gets away with it. Ghani cuts it to backward point who has a shy at the bowler's end

8.2

S Thompson to Usman Ghani, no run, short of length delivery drifting down. Ghani misses the flick and gets struck on the pad. An appeal for caught behind, but the umpire is unmoved

8.1

S Thompson to Mohammad Shahzad, 1 run, full and wide of off, Shahzad backs away and drills to to long-off

7.6

Jacob Mulder to Usman Ghani, no run, too full to attempt that shot. Ghani wanted to dab it towards third man and gets beaten on the outside edge

7.5

Jacob Mulder to Usman Ghani, FOUR, overpitched and Ghani takes full toll of it. Comes forward and drills it hard down the ground. No chance for the long-off fielder

7.4

Jacob Mulder to Mohammad Shahzad, 1 run, tapped in front of cover-point with soft hands for an easy single

Jacob Mulder to Mohammad Shahzad, 1 run, slower this time, bit of turn away from Shahzad who wrists it to long-on. Brings up the 50-run stand

7.1

Jacob Mulder to Mohammad Shahzad, no run, starts with a full leggie, cut to backward point

Jacob Mulder, comes into the attack

6.6

S Thompson to Usman Ghani, 2 runs, good effort from Tucker. Ghani dances down and flicks it behind square. Tucker from long leg ran across and stopped it with a dive to his left and keeps the batsmen down to a double

S Thompson to Mohammad Shahzad, no run, gets away with this wide delivery outside off, Shahzad chases it with hard hands and fails to put bat on ball

6.2

S Thompson to Mohammad Shahzad, 2 runs, what was that! His back leg is off the ground when he hit that. Shahzad uses his wrists to lift this fuller length delivery over backward point for a couple

6.2

S Thompson to Usman Ghani, 2 wides, sprays down leg and Wilson can't collect it with a dive. Two bonus runs

6.1

S Thompson to Mohammad Shahzad, 1 run, 11th T20I fifty for Mohammad Shahzad! He gets there in 27 deliveries. Taps a length t mid-wicket and gets there. Can he convert it into a hundred?

6.1

S Thompson to Mohammad Shahzad, wide, starts with a poor delivery way outside off. The keeper has to dive to his right to stop that

Stuart Thompson, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack

5.6

Barry McCarthy to Mohammad Shahzad, 1 run, pacy full delivery, Shahzad brings his bat down at an angle and hits his pad while making contact with the ball. A single taken as the ball travels to long-on

5.5

Barry McCarthy to Mohammad Shahzad, SIX, the previous delivery he played along the ground. This time he is not afraid to go over the in-field. He spots the cutter early, comes forward and makes room to launch it over extra cover for a maximum

Barry McCarthy to Mohammad Shahzad, FOUR, in the air and four! This is brilliant stuff. It was short and wide outside off, Shahzad arches his back a bit and elevates it between backward point and short third man. There is none stopping that

5.2

Barry McCarthy to Mohammad Shahzad, no run, good length delivery outside off, Shahzad backs away and he has to reach out for that. Ends up chopping it towards covers

5.1

Barry McCarthy to Usman Ghani, 1 run, jogs down and pushes this fullish delivery to long-on

Barry McCarthy [1.0-0-14-0] is back into the attack

4.6

Kevin O'Brien to Mohammad Shahzad, SIX, shot! That's Dhoni-esque. Fuller length delivery on the pads, Shahzad waits for the ball, clears his front leg and wallops it over the cow corner fence

4.5

Kevin O'Brien to Usman Ghani, 1 run, short ball on leg, Ghani walks across and can't put it away with pull. Takes his glove and falls wide of the keeper. A single nabbed

4.4

Kevin O'Brien to Mohammad Shahzad, 1 run, looks to replicate the previous shot and ends up mishitting it to mid-wicket. Hares across for a quick single

4.3

Kevin O'Brien to Mohammad Shahzad, FOUR, that's brute power! Short of a length delivery, Shahzad moves leg-side and muscles it through the mid-wicket region for yet another boundary

4.2

Kevin O'Brien to Mohammad Shahzad, no run, Shahzad backs away and O'Brien follows him and thereby cramping him for room. All the batsman can do is play it back to the bowler

4.1

Kevin O'Brien to Usman Ghani, 1 run, full and outside off, Ghani clears his front leg and drills it down to long-on

3.6

Dockrell to Mohammad Shahzad, SIX, that's a monster! Dockrell tosses it up on off, Shahzad backs away and launches it over long-off to collect his second maximum

3.5

Dockrell to Mohammad Shahzad, no run, defended off the front foot

3.4

Dockrell to Mohammad Shahzad, FOUR, shot! There wasn't width offered, Shahzad created his own by moving leg-side. It was slightly on the shorter side and Shahzad uses that to elevate it over the extra cover region for a boundary

3.3

Dockrell to Mohammad Shahzad, no run, similar delivery, Shahzad turns it to mid-wicket

3.2

Dockrell to Usman Ghani, 1 run, darts it on the pads, tapped to mid-wicket with soft hands for a quick single

3.1

Dockrell to Mohammad Shahzad, 1 run, short ball, Shahzad gets down on one knee and pulls it to deep backward square leg. Just a single

2.6

Kevin O'Brien to Usman Ghani, 2 runs, angling in length delivery, Ghani leans forward and uses his wrists to work it round the corner for a brace

Kevin O'Brien to Najeeb Tarakai, out Caught by Dockrell!! There was just one man there in the deep and Tarakai has picked him to perfection. Fuller length delivery outside off, Tarakai fetches it from there and heaves across the line. Doesn't time it well and spoons a simple catch to Dockrell at deep mid-wicket. Najeeb Tarakai c Dockrell b Kevin O'Brien 3(5)

Kevin O'Brien to Najeeb Tarakai, THAT'S OUT!! Caught!!

2.3

Kevin O'Brien to Mohammad Shahzad, leg byes, 1 run, comes forward and tries to tuck this short of length delivery. Fails to connect and sneaks in a leg-bye as the ball traves into the on-side off his thigh

2.2

Kevin O'Brien to Mohammad Shahzad, no run, pitches it up this time, Shahzad shuffles across and blunts it to the right of the bowler

2.1

Kevin O'Brien to Najeeb Tarakai, 1 run, starts with a length delivery around off, Tarakai flat-bats it to the right of O'Brien and collects a single as the ball rolls to long-on

Kevin O'Brien, right-arm fast medium, comes into the attack

1.6

Dockrell to Najeeb Tarakai, 1 run, comes forward and drives all along the ground down to long-on

Dockrell to Mohammad Shahzad, no run, Shahzad waits on the back foot for the ball to come to him and blocks it solidly

1.2

Dockrell to Najeeb Tarakai, 1 run, flat in trajectory, Tarakai wrists it behind square on the leg-side to get off the mark

1.1

Dockrell to Najeeb Tarakai, no run, starts with a slow delivery on leg, Tarakai is watchful in his defence

George Dockrell, left-arm orthodox, comes into the attack

0.6

Barry McCarthy to Mohammad Shahzad, FOUR, 14 off the first over. Very full outside off, Shahzad opens his bat face at the point of contact and squits it through the point region. The ball races away into the fence

0.5

Barry McCarthy to Mohammad Shahzad, no run, comes forward and middles the drive straight to cover

0.4

Barry McCarthy to Mohammad Shahzad, no run, serves width again This time Shahzad pushes it to cover-point

0.3

Barry McCarthy to Mohammad Shahzad, SIX, even better! Full and wide outside off, Shahzad gets low and tonks it over extra cover. The ball hits the boundary cushion on the full. Exciting start

0.2

Barry McCarthy to Mohammad Shahzad, FOUR, you offer width to this guy and he'll punish you. It was short as well. Shahzad goes hard at it and elevates it behind backward point. What a way to get off the mark

0.1

Barry McCarthy to Mohammad Shahzad, no run, on the stumps, no room for Shahzad to free his arms. Played back towards the bowler

Mohammad Shahzad and Najeeb Tarakai are at the crease. Mohammad Shahzad is on strike. Barry McCarthy will open the attack

The players stride out to the middle. Here we go.

Asghar Stanikzai: 'The toss doesn't matter. We'd have batted first if we had won the toss. Our strength is spin. If we post around 160, we are confident we can defend it. All the players have played very well. Rashid is a very good player and is a serious cricketer. We have made one change.'

William Porterfield: 'We'll bowl first. It might be easier to bat later in the day. Around 180 is par-score on this track. We'd like to keep them under 170. We were in a good position in the last game until the rain break. Hopefully, we put up a better show.'

Pitch Report: The wicket looks very dry. Lesser grass from the previous two games. A good batting track.

Ireland have won the toss and have opted to field

Afghanistan will be looking forward to completing a 3-0 clean sweep, which will be a big shot in the arm for Stanikzai and his men. The batting has clicked, the fielding has been superb and the bowlers have risen to the occasion. With the series in their kitty, It will be interesting to see their team combination. Stay tuned for toss and teams..

Afternoon everyone. It's dead-rubber time. Hello and welcome to the third and the final T20I between Afghanistan and Ireland. Loss in the first two matches has brought Ireland face-to-face with the harsh reality that the talent in their ranks is not getting translated into performances for some time now. They know that they have it in them and all they need to do is play as a team to get out of this predicament. Their ability to handle pressure has been a major area of concern for the past 12 months. Will they put that myth to bed today?

Preview

Four years ago when Ireland pipped Afghanistan to win the ICC World T20 Qualifier in Abu Dhabi, there seemed to be an intense rivalry developing between the two powerhouses of the Associate world. However, a lot has changed since then. The Asian nation has made waves in the cricketing landscape, qualifying for World T20s and the 50-over World Cup in 2015. Ireland, on the other hand, have been on a slippery rope.

The European nation is now ranked a lowly 15th in the Twenty20 International team rankings. Ireland's rather poor run in the shortest format continued when they hurtled to a 17-run loss (based on the DLS method) in the second T20I against Afghanistan as the home side clinched the three-match series 2-0. In what turned out to be a match full of sharp twists and turns, Rashid Khan weaved his magic around Afghanistan's batsmen to pick up astonishing figures of 5 for 3 in four overs to help his side defend a revised target of 111. Riding on the victory, Afghanistan extended their winning streak in the T20 format to ten games.

The legspinner, who also on the same day picked up a deal of USD 60,000 in the CPL draft, will be expected to trouble the opposition camp in the dead rubber game in Greater Noida, especially with the track set to assist the spinners. Rashid has certainly been in splendid form in the recent past, evidenced by the 29 wickets he has picked up at 11.44 in the T20 format in the past one year.

Najeeb Tarakai's enterprising 58-ball 90 would have given Afghanistan's camp plenty to cheer about. For long, the home side has depended on Samiullah Shenwari, Mohammad Shahzad and to a lesser extent, Asghar Stanikzai to do the bulk of the scoring.

Afghanistan also have a full complement of bowlers to choose from. Rashid, Amir Hamza and Mohammad Nabi make up for a useful spin trio. With Afghanistan playing a spin heavy line-up, even Dawlat Zadran, the experienced pacer, hasn't found a place in the side.

Ireland, on the other hand, will be pondering about their abject collapse after the rain break in the second T20I which saw them lose seven wickets for just 28 to collapse in a heap. Paul Stirling flared the contest briefly with a 15-ball 31 but his knock went in vain.

John Bracewell, the Ireland coach, who is known for his expertise in the abridged versions of the game, needs to inject a tonic of vigour into the side. In a set-up comprising largely resourceful and hardworking cricketers, Kevin O'Brien looms as an X-factor capable of taking the attack to the opposition. Bracewell will hope that the power-packed all-rounder raises his game in the final match of the series.

When: Afghanistan vs Ireland, 3rd T20I - 2 PM local time

Where: Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground, Greater Noida

Team News: With Ireland having already lost the series, they might give chances to exciting 17-year-old quick, Joshua Little, or Greg Thompson, the legspinner.